The TUC is campaigning for three new public holidays to bring the UK into line with the European average of 11 days a year.

According to an online survey vote, it says workers rank the autumn half-term, St George's Day or New Year's Eve among their top choices for new bank holidays.

As the UK prepares to enjoy the August long weekend, the survey shows most people would opt for an autumn date for an extra day off.

The survey of almost 20,000 people revealed 41% would prefer a Monday in late October for a new bank holiday, with almost a third (32%) plumping for St George's, St Andrew's and St David's days.

Unsurprisingly, just 1% of the 19,469 who completed the worksmart poll thought the UK did not need any additional bank holidays.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "The TUC welcomes Labour's Policy Forum decision that ministers are committed to change the law so that bank holidays are taken in addition to annual leave, as they are throughout the rest of Europe.

"But we want the Government to go further and introduce three extra public holidays. It would be a real vote winner."

The TUC believes there are several reasons why extra bank holidays would have "no impact" on the economy, including a boost for retail and tourism as workers enjoy their day off, and a potential reduction in work-related stress - which it says costs the UK £4.4 billion a year.

Friday August 27, 2004